21 December 2011 marks the 85th anniversary of the arrival of the historic floating crane Hikitia in Wellington.

Construction

Hikitia
was built by Fleming and Ferguson of Paisley, Scotland, in 1926.
She measures 160.1' (48.58m) in overall length with a beam of 52.35'
(15.88m) and a moulded depth of 11.35' (3.44m).

Twin screws are
driven by compound surface condensing direct drive engines which were
supplied with steam by a coal fired Scotch boiler with two
furnaces. A similar but oil-fired boiler replaced the original
boiler in 1963. In 1980 this was also removed and the present two
small modern package boilers were installed.

The crane was built
by Sir William Arrol and Co. of Glasgow. It was designed to lift
80 tons at 50' radius but bettered this on test by 25%. The crane
can lift 60 tons at 65' and 15 tons at 75'. The speed of the lift
is 80 tons at 4' per minute, 40 tons at 8' per minute, 25 tons at 12'
per minute and 15 tons at 24' per minute. The crane weighs 310
tons and at a radius of 65' the maximum height of the hook above the
water is 95'.

Delivery Journey

Following trials, Hikitia
left Glasgow on 29 September 1926 under Captain J Fullerton for Ponta
Delgado in the Azores, a distance of 1445 miles, where she arrived on 9
October. After bunkering, she left for Colon and the Panama
Canal, passing through the canal on 2 November. Out in the
Pacific, Hikitia encountered
strong head winds and rough seas, which caused the vessel to pitch
heavily. The next 48 hours were anxious and stressful for the
crew with the superstructure straining and some deck plates beginning
to crack but then conditions improved and repairs were made. The
ship reached Papeete harbour on 1 December and took on stores and coal,
sailing next morning for New Zealand. The final part of the
voyage was not without incident, as on 13 December Hikitia
ran into a submerged object and several days were spent battling rough
seas and strong winds. At 7.5 knots (approx 15kph) the ship was
hardly a flier!

The log of the Hikitia's delivery voyage is preserved in the archives of the Museum of Wellington, City & Sea on Queen's Wharf.

Hikitia arrived in Wellington harbour on 21 December 1926 after a voyage of 82 days. It has been generally accepted that Hikitia's delivery voyage represents a record distance sailed by a vessel of this type with its jib up.

Wellington Harbour Board Work

Hikitia at work for the Harbour Board

Hikitia
began work almost immediately and for 83 years has been a familiar
sight on the harbour, mainly taken for granted and unheralded.
She has worked on all types of construction projects including wharf
construction, though her main role was in lifting heavy cargo on
ships. She spent some time helping to demolish the wreck of the Wahine.

Hikitia's last job for the Wellington Port Company was the removal of piles near the position of the old Floating Dock.

Hikitia Heavy Lift

In 1989 the old vessel was put up for tender. Ship lovers imagined Hikitia
would be for the knacker's yard and that she would be lost forever -
but this did not happen. On 12 April 1990 the maritime enthusiast
couples of Bob and Mary Box, and John and Joy Ackrill bought
her for preservation.

On 30 July 1992, after much hard work by volunteers, Hikitia
carried out a successful 88 ton test lift. This was the final
legal requirement for survey and, as Hikitia Heavy Lift, she became
available for commercial lifts up to 80 tons.

While in private ownership Hikitia carried out over 300 lifts and was involved in many other waterfront tasks. These include:

Removing
cranes from Glasgow Wharf and Aotea Quay; the last of the Aotea
Quay cranes has now been re-erected on Queen’s Wharf;

Lifting and turning pontoons for the Lynx linkspan for painting, and subsequently placing in the water;

Lifting various ferry gangways at Rail Ferry Terminal;

Putting Suilven’s linkspan in place, and helping with modifications for the Kent;

Acting as launching platform and control centre for several fireworks displays;

Lifting Breum
(an old Danish wooden fishing trawler now serving as a yacht) onto
King’s Wharf for renovation, and later putting her back in the water;

Acting as breakwater for start-line of Dragon-Boat races;

Lifting machinery from Maui oil platform;

Moving railway engines, bound for Australia, into position in a ship’s hold;

Unloading three large transformers brought in from Australia;

Replacing Barrett Reef marker buoy;

Removing
a large anchor, and chain, from the harbour bed near the ferry terminal
and replacing it in the water at Taranaki Street Wharf pending
preservation;

Lifting stern of tug Levanter for propeller replacement;

Salvaging Maria Luisa after she was run down by Sydney Express.

In September 2004 a test lift of 100tonnes was successfully carried out

25 Nov 2006 saw a 75tonne lift of a barge on to Aotea Quay

Two lifts of a 25tonne crane were done at Kaiwharawhara in early 2007

Two 34tonne lifts were done at the North Queens Wharf development in May 2007

A 22tonne ice tower was relocated between wharves at Lyttelton on 20 Oct 2009

Hikitia's lifting capability is one of the key reasons the Global Challenge fleet has been three times to Wellington.

Maritime Heritage Trust

Hikitia under tow to Lyttelton

On
16 March 2006 ownership was transferred to the Maritime Heritage Trust
of Wellington. Trustees include Nigel Gould [chairman], Bill Day, Alfie
des Tombe, Peter McKnight and Malcolm McGregor. The goal of the Trust
is to refurbish and maintain the ship as a working vessel to
demonstrate the purpose for which it was built and to help earn its
keep at the same time. The Ackrills remain involved and they, and
usually 12 to 20 other dedicated helpers, are on board most Saturdays
carrying out maintenance and making the ship truly self
sufficient.

After an assessment of the ship in 2008 it was
found that repairs were needed. Funding of $660,000 was obtained
and that along with the waiver of some fees and considerable work
done voluntarily allowed a major upgrade plan to be undertaken. The
ship was towed to Lyttelton in June 2009 and a successful drydocking of
35days was made allowing completion of a full hull and mechanical
repair program. This was the first time in 28 years the ship had been
out of the water.

Extra money was found to waterblast and paint
the crane structure and deck, to repair the deck belting and to make up
an initial shortfall of funding. The total maintenance cost eventually
exceeded $780,000.

Since return of Hikitia
to Wellington on 5 November 2009 the reinstatement of the steam bilge
pump and fire fighting system has been completed, the refurbishment of
the Gear Room at the base of the crane has almost been completed and
the repair of rudder boxes and stocks steering mechanisms is well
advanced.

2011 planning is for the ship to be made fully self-sufficient, a status which will ensure her long term survival.

Awards

2008: Hikitia won the Heritage & Environment category of the Wellington Airport Community Awards.2010: Hikitia was Runner Up in the heritage section of the inaugural Encore Awards.2010: IPENZ recognised the importance of Hikitia’s part in New Zealand’s engineering heritage by unveiling a bronze plaque on her.

Heritage 'Ark'

Hikitia is a special part of Wellington's maritime heritage and has earned respect
for her years of service to the port and the uniqueness of her
construction and machinery. She continues to provide a specialist
waterborne lifting facility.

Additionally, she has become an 'ark of knowledge' for ship working skills that otherwise would be lost or forgotten.

Hikitia's presence at her berth near the center of town uplifts the ambience and interest level of
the Wellington waterfront making her a popular weekend visitor site.

Hikitia
remains available for hire to carry out lifts or as an events venue.
Weekend work party volunteers are always made welcome!